Kansas City Chiefs' newest cornerbacks show off ball skills, coverage ability during first day of rookie minicamp

A pair of Kansas City Chiefs rookie cornerbacks impressed during the first day of rookie minicamp.

The Chiefs hosted the first of three days of rookie minicamp on Saturday, marking the first action of the offseason for many draft picks and undrafted free agent signings. This is their first chance to show the coaching staff their strengths and weaknesses ahead of OTAs later this month.

At this point in the offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t allowed to hold padded practices with full contact. That means the quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends, and defensive backs typically have the best chances to stand out in team drills. That stood true during Day 1 of rookie minicamp practice, with a pair of cornerbacks emerging as standouts.

Chiefs third-round pick Nohl Williams impresses on Day 1

Chiefs third-round draft pick Nohl Williams is known for his skills as a ballhawk, boasting an FBS-leading seven interceptions during the 2024 college football season. Those skills were displayed early on during the team’s warm-ups ahead of team sessions in practice.

Our friend, FOX 4 Kansas City’s Harold R. Kuntz, shared this clip from the practice portion open to media filming.

Smith jumped in front of an unsuspecting Chiefs coach to snag a one-handed interception while the coach tossed the ball back and forth with some receivers.

Even during media session — already see the 'Go and Get It' ballhawk skills of 3rd Round pick CB Nohl Williams. #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/hc6EPOdhol

— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) May 3, 2025

Once team drills came around, I’m told that Williams, who had questions about his long speed coming out of the 2025 NFL Draft, was very sticky in coverage. His day of work was characterized by tight, physical coverage, which alleviated some of those concerns. He also had a pass breakup against UDFA WR Elijhah Badger, per Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick.

Chiefs UDFA CB Melvin Smith Jr. is already proving he belongs

Southern Arkansas CB Melvin Smith Jr., one of the 16 players signed as an undrafted free agent (see below), had perhaps the most impressive day of any player at rookie minicamp.

Smith Jr. took a pre-draft visit with the Chiefs, but he was also at the Senior Bowl, where he had a chance to match up with his new teammate Jalen Royals in some 1-on-1 drills.

Jalen Royals vs Melvin Smith Jr. pic.twitter.com/UVR95WSDXA

— Mike Vallerie (@FF_DirtyMike) January 29, 2025

Royals got the best of Smith Jr. down in Mobile, Alabama, but the 5-foot-10 and 190-pound cornerback bounced back in his first rookie minicamp practice. According to Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick, Smith Jr. notched multiple plays on the ball against the Utah State draft pick, including on the first throw of team periods, and an interception on a pass that Royals later popped up.

That’s the type of feist that he needs to show to carve out a role and make the 53-man roster. His path could ultimately come down to his ability to play outside and slot cornerback in the NFL, akin to Trent McDuffie.